Tunbridge Library Talk On

Granite Workers Is Jan. 10

Vermont historian John Johnson will give a slide talk on "The Granite Workers of Barre" Thursday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Tunbridge Public Library. Refreshments will follow this free Winter Evenings program hosted by the library.

Johnson has worked in historical museums, historic archaeology and historic preservation for 35 years. Six years ago, the Vermont Granite Museum in Barre hired him as an industrial historian to identify all the source material that would be used to interpret the culture of the granite industry in preparation for designing museum exhibits.

Johnson’s Tunbridge program, which is sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council, will illustrate the granite workers in the context of America’s industrial heritage, including such themes as granite art, the industry’s role in the industrialization of Vermont, labor unions and the merging of science and technology.

Johnson’s first Vermont project was for the Woodstock Foundation, documenting Ben Thresher’s water-powered mill that is now a museum in Barnet Center. He is currently documenting the first water power system at the American Precision Museum in Windsor.

For more information about the Winter Evenings programs call 889-9404.

____________